Product Review: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask

Okay, so I took some creative liberties with that one...but sometimes products make you just want to break out into love songs. Such is the case with my newest deep conditioning treatment, Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask. I'm sure ya'll will want to send me to therapy for butchering a John Legend song for a product but hey -- sometimes it gets that real. Although I just began courting the Therapy Session over the weekend, I can tell that we're in this thing for the long haul. This pretty pink jar just soared to the top of my Must Haves for 2014 List. But before I get too far ahead of myself, let's go through the standard rundown:

Cetyl & Cetearyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohols" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols
such as ethyl. Both cetearyl and cetyl alcohol are lubricants,
thickeners, and emollients. They give conditioner its velvety feel
without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from
separating.

Cetrimonium Chloride: Compond close in composition to Behentrimonium Chloride (see below). In addition to having the same penetrating, conditioning, and anti-static properties, centrimonium chloride has been scientifically proven to strengthen the hair when activated by heat.

Panthenol: Vitamin B5, known for quick absorption into hair and providing moisture
control.

Behentrimonium Chloride: Quaternary ammonium compound and close cousin of cetrimonium chloride.
Also penetrates the hair, conditions, and acts as an anti-static and
anti-microbial agent.

Jojoba Seed Oil: Emollient that coats the hair shaft (its molecular structure prevents it
from penetrating the cuticle) and aids in providing slip and
protection. Also known for being closest in composition to the natural sebum our scalps produce, that coat and nourish the hair.

Affordability: Even when not on sale, purchased from Ulta this gem is a good buy. At $14.99 for 16.9oz of amazingness, I'll continue to keep this deep conditioner in supply. If you take advantage of it right now, Ulta (in store and online) is having a BOGO 50% off promotion. Couple that with the $3.50 off $10 or more and you're walking away with two huge jars of deep conditioner for roughly $20. Be sure to take advantage of this deal by April 5th, 2014!

Product Claim/Description: With KERAVIS Protein and ARGAN Oil. Deeply conditions, REPAIRS and STRENGTHENS. For ALL hair types. Hmm, I like that description. Short, sweet, and to the point.

Performance/Delivery: Remember that song I butchered sang a few lines back? I mean it. EVERY. SINGLE. WORD. I have a lot of conditioners and deep conditioners that I like love, but none that made me want to put a ring on it -- until now. That's how you know it's real; when a product junkie settles down. I originally picked up the Therapy Session because I was attracted to the BOGO pricing, and looking for a deep conditioner with cetrimonium chloride and protein high enough on the list. I was preparing to straighten my hair for the weekend, and wanted both of those ingredients all up and through my hair. This product fit the bill, so I took it home. The first time I used it, I deep conditioned without heat for 30 minutes. Upon rinsing, I almost fainted. My hair was so soft, silky, smooth, detangled, buttery feeling, defrizzed, and just amazing. I seriously had to reconsider my product stash, and wonder why it took me so long to catch on to Eva NYC. The next time I conditioned for about 5 minutes, again without heat, while in the shower. Guess what? The results are the same. They weren't lying when they said to leave it on the hair for 2-5 minutes then rinse. Call me silly, but I'm head over heels in love with Therapy Session. And I'm not ashamed to shout it from the mountain top!

A few more nitty-gritty deets: It has great slip and makes for pretty good detangling, and has a consistency similar to Aussie Moist, but just with a more rich and velvety feel. It rinses out easily, and makes your hair actually look and feel like it has had an intense therapy session -- a hallmark of a true deep conditioner.

A closer look at the consistency...

Drawbacks: To be honest, I'm on the fence about the fragrance. It doesn't smell bad, but it doesn't have the instant appeal of something like tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner or Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp. It's powdery and floral-esque, without being obnoxious and overbearing. I'm not quite sure that I can call the fragrance a drawback, because I don't dislike it. I'm just not wild about it. But hey, no relationship is perfect. Can't no fragrance keep me away from my baby!

Bonuses: Besides the adorable pink jar that I will definitely keep and repurpose for something else, the real bonus in this product is how easily it spreads and takes to the hair. Some deep conditioners can just sit on top, others seem to vanish into thin air. Therapy Session penetrates and coats at the same time, pumping new life into tired, dry, and brittle tresses.

Bottom Line: A definite yes. A million times yes. Instant Must-Have for 2014. If you feel like you haven't met the perfect deep conditioner yet, give Therapy Session Hair Mask a try. Worst case scenario -- if you don't like it, get a refund. But I've got a sneaking suspicion that you won't be needing that receipt. I love this product so much, I'm going to look into the rest of the Eva NYC product line. A great product will do that to you!

Best Practices: All deep conditioners work best on clean, wet hair. Therapy Session is no exception. I'm heavy-handed with product, so I like to make sure I apply this mask generously, paying particular attention to my ends. I can only imagine how epic a pre-poo with Therapy Session and the Q-Redew would be...

Overall Product Rating: 5 stars. Can I give more than 5 stars? 5+? Whatever the rating scale is (why am I asking questions? It's my scale, lol!), this product is most certainly at the pinnacle. Therapy Session Hair Mask has set the standard for deep conditioners here on out. The next DC I try (because I'm a product junkie and I know I'll buy something else just because) will have some big shoes to fill. And even though I'll probably purchase others just to quell my curiosity, I vow to have Therapy Session stocked at all times.

You don't have to use a lot... I'm heavy handed but trying to work on easing up a bit. Even with my excessive heavy-handedness I got 3 uses out of that one jar. Used appropriately, I'm sure it would last a lot longer...lmao!

Did this last you a long time? I see that it's almost 17 oz, but I'm heavy handed and have thick hair, not a good combo for a product junkie like myself lol. I saw this in ULTA and had the itch to try it, but I haven't seen any reviews until now. You got my inner product junkie thirsty to run and get it!

I got a sample of this in my Ipsy bag a couple months back and loved it. Was just shopping at Burlington Coat Factory last week and saw they had this huge jar of it for $10 ($10!!!!!), and remembered how much I loved it and had to buy. I went home and used it and fell in love all over again. I also bought two cans of the dry shampoo for $7 each, and love this product as well. I went back this morning and bought the store out of the 8.45 oz mane tamer ($8 each), 17 oz shampoo and conditioner ($5 each), 33.8 oz shampoo and conditioner ($10 each), and 10 oz hair spray ($10). Merry Christmas to me, hallelujah!

I've been hearing you rave about this mask for months, but just sat down to read the full review. I'm at the bottom of my SheaMoisture manuka honey masque jar (I never get tired of saying thank you!) and ULTA is having a sale. I think it's written in the stars at this point.

A hairdresser did the Aphogee 2 Step on my hair and now its breaking! I believe the moisturizing conditioner she used wasn't moisturizing enough and when I come through my hair its tangled and brittle, which is causing a lot of little wisps to come out. Do you think I should deep condition with the Eva Therapy Mask (contains protein) or use a moisturizing deep treatment (such as Curl Junkie Rehab-which has no protein)? I do suffer from dry hair but since I heat style every two weeks, my hair still needs protein. I don't know what to do. Your help is appreciated.